AN alleged robber and two others were arrested in separate operations for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in Negros Occidental in the past two days.
In Sipalay City, Joelito Epogon, 58, of Barangay San Jose was arrested after police raided his house through a search warrant in the said village on Tuesday, September 4.
The operation yielded a high-powered firearm like a homemade KG9 submachine pistol, a .357 caliber revolver, a plastic magazine of M16, a magazine of KG9 submachine pistol, six live ammunition of 12 gauge shotgun, six live ammunition of .357 caliber revolver, 10 live ammunition of .45 caliber pistol, 27 live ammunition of .5.56 caliber, two live ammunition of 7.62 caliber 7.62, and a handheld radio.
Chief Inspector Anthony Grande, city police chief, said Epogon is allegedly involved in 'akyat-bahay' incidents in the city and other neighboring cities, as well as in Bacolod.
Grande said they received complaints from his neighbors and other residents regarding his illegal activity which prompted them to conduct the raid.
Grande said the suspect is also involved in the gun-running activity, as he is allegedly manufacturing and selling improvised firearms.
He said the suspect claimed that the recovered firearms are used for his protection after his brother was killed.
However, Grande said those firearms were illegally possessed.
Charges for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition will be filed against Epogon, who is detained at the police station.
In Isabela town, Jaron Espares, 41, of Barangay 6 Poblacion, a meat vendor, was arrested last Monday by virtue of a search warrant in the said village.
Police seized from Espares a .38 caliber revolver, five cartridges of .38 caliber revolver, hand grenade, two sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), aluminum foil, and a plastic container containing suspected marijuana leaves.
Espares is detained at the municipal police station for the filing of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and illegal possession of dangerous drugs.
In Victorias City, Noel Ravino, 18, of Barangay 6, was arrested on September 3 at Barangay 5, after he was caught in possession of an improvised firearm locally known as "pin gun" and live ammunition of .9mm caliber.
He is detained at the police station. (GYM)